Script?

The choice of script is the most important aspect of Reader's Theatre.


Teachers have numerous options for scripts. Several good companies will happily sell scripts. Some companies have free scripts. Students can even develop scripts from classroom materials. But how do you pick the right script?

1) Know your audience.

• What age/grade is the audience?
• Attention span
• Vocabulary level
• Are you working with a content area teacher?
  

2) Know your students.

• For example - junior high students have a tendency to giggle over almost anything.
• What reading level do they need?
• How many readers do you have?
• What is their interest level?

Here is a chart to help pick the script:

Reader’s Theatre Script Selection
Audience:
	Age/grade
	Content Area
	Interest Level
Readers:
	Reading Level
	Number of Readers
	Teams?	NO	YES	Number in each team: how?

Where to find free scripts:

• Free reader's theater scripts for young readers http://www.aaronshep.com/rt

• Children's plays from Whootie Owl. Unique opportunity for drama teachers, directors, and kids who want to perform a play! http://www.storiestogrowby.com/script.html

• Science WOW Factory has free reader's theatre scripts for the science classroom. http://gvc03c32.virtualclassroom.org/

• ZOOM Playhouse http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/playhouse/index.html

For more on this lesson - check out:

Test Yourself (Script Selection):

Take the online quiz